RE #211: Nick Clark - Founder of Common Desk - The Future of Co Working & Flexible Office

Nick founded Common Desk in 2012 after leaving a career in office leasing and management. Common Desk has since become a coworking industry leader in the design, hospitality, and asset-light deal structures with office landlords. After scaling the brand to 23 locations throughout Texas and North Carolina, WeWork acquired Common Desk at the beginning of 2022. Common Desk as a brand will remain and Nick is still at the helm of the company's continued growth plan.

In this episode, Nick shares why they sold to WeWork and what the future of the company will look like, and why Common Desk chooses management agreements with landlords. He deep dives on why the return to office will come back in a major way and what has changed and how flexible office space going from 2% to 25% of the office market. Enjoy!

Follow Chris on Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/FortWorthChris
Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/
Learn more about Chris Powers & Fort Capital: https://www.FortCapitalLP.com
Follow Fort Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fort-capital/

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Listen & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fort-with-chris-powers/id1410549811

(03:12) - What are you seeing now in the world as we emerge from Covid?

(05:20) - How are banks and capital markets reacting to the new trend of shorter-term leases?

(07:57) - The Management Agreement Model

(10:07) - Do the rest of the building tenants benefit from the flex-office operation or is it only common desk customers?

(12:05) - Do you perform better being located on the first or second floor of a building?

(12:36) -Is there data that shows a building performs better when all tenants can participate in common desk amenities?

(14:15) - Do you only operate off the management agreement model?

(19:35) - What services does Common Desk provide within the space?

(20:49) - Are you seeing larger companies coming into Common Desk who really want you to take care of the amenity side of work?

(24:53) - What are the key things that make a successful Common Desk location?

(29:42) - The Process of Selling Common Desk to WeWork

(37:30) - How long does it take to open one location?

(38:26) - Do you think the changes in the way we work over the past two years are permanent?

(42:18) - Is there anything interesting WeWork is doing behind the scenes they’re really focused on?

(44:39) - Does Common Desk only work in an office setting or have you thought about occupying other asset classes?

(45:55) - Did you learn anything about business or a life grinding through Covid as a leader of a company?

(48:47) - Nick’s Belief that Lawns Shouldn’t Exist

(51:24) - Nick’s Desire to Buy a Waffle House